MOA inked to give free breast cancer screening to San Juan indigent residents

By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas | March 08, 2023

In celebration of International Women’s Day, The Medical City (TMC), AIA Philippines, and the local government of San Juan have come together to launch the Hope Mobi Clinic.

March 8, 2023--In celebration of International Women’s Day, The Medical City (TMC), AIA Philippines, and the local government of San Juan have come together to launch the Hope Mobi Clinic–an on-the-go cancer screening program that brings the TMC brand of care outside the four walls of the hospital. The three entities have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the partnership on March 8 at the San Juan City Hall.

Hope Mobi Clinic’s pilot program will provide free breast cancer screening that aims to help improve early detection rates among women of San Juan who may not have access to these services. The mobile clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art digital mammogram and medical professionals who are committed to providing quality healthcare services.

The MOA signing ceremony was led by Mayor Francis Zamora, TMC’s Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute (APSCI) Director Dr. Beatrice J. Tiangco, AIA Philippines’ Head of Branding and Communication Bernadette R. Chincuanco. Also in attendance were San Juan District Representative Ysabel Maria J. Zamora and the Mayor’s wife, Keri Zamora, who is a breast cancer survivor herself and CEO of Caring Keri--an NGO dedicated to improving the lives and protecting the rights of San Juaneño women and children.

During the ceremony, the parties expressed their commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare services to the residents of San Juan City.

Mayor Zamora highlights how Hope Mobi Clinic is distinct from other screening programs, specifically its coverage from screening to treatment of qualified breast cancer patients. This is in line with APSCI’s SCRAP (Screen And Prevent) Cancer Program.

“This is a very important MOA because not only are we giving free medical consultation and breast cancer exams to qualified women in San Juan; those who will unfortunately be diagnosed with the disease will be given free treatment by The Medical City and AIA Philippines,” Zamora said.

Hope Mobi Clinic will provide free breast cancer screening to pre-qualified women of San Juan aged 50 to 65 years old who do not have any history of cancer or tumor. And should these patients’ results show that they have a malignant tumor, TMC and AIA will cover the expenses for medical intervention until surgery treatment.

Dr. Tiangco, meanwhile, expressed her optimism about the partnership stating that the goal of The Medical City is to be the Philippines’ partner in health through the Hope Mobi Clinic and to save Filipinas from the dreaded disease.

“As Filipinos’ partner in health, TMC's goal in offering Hope Mobi Clinic is to give access to early cancer detection to otherwise healthy women who, just because they are 50 to 65 years old, are at higher risk than the general population in developing breast cancer–the most common cancer in the Philippines, in Asia and in the world. By detecting breast cancer early, and subsequently undergoing surgical treatment, women of San Juan can be saved from this dreaded disease and go on to lead healthy and cancer-free lives for years to come,” said Tiangco.

Chincuanco also expressed her support for the Hope Mobi Clinic initiative, stating "We are proud to be part of this initiative that will provide access to cancer screening and treatment services to those who need it the most. Thank you to the city government of San Juan and The Medical City for this partnership that gives us the opportunity to bring to life our purpose of helping Filipinos live healthier, longer, better lives.”

The Hope Mobi Clinic is set to roll out in the coming months and both TMC and AIA are excited to extend the program with other partners in the future as well.